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2017 slang refers to the informal words, phrases, abbreviations, and internet expressions that were especially popular or culturally significant around 2017.
For many people, 2017 was an important period in the development of modern internet language. Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube, memes, and emerging social-media communities were rapidly influencing the way people communicated.
Expressions such as lit, savage, woke, salty, extra, fam, low-key, high-key, and receipts were widely recognizable during this period. Some existed before 2017, but the year helped push them further into mainstream online culture.
It’s also important to distinguish between slang that originated in 2017 and slang that was simply popular during 2017. Most slang associated with the year did not actually originate that year.
What Is 2017 Slang?
2017 slang is a broad label for slang words and expressions that were widely used, discussed, or culturally relevant around 2017.
It includes language associated with:
- Social media
- Memes
- Teen and young-adult culture
- Music
- YouTube
- Snapchat
- Online communities
The category isn’t an official dictionary classification. It is mainly a way of describing the language and internet culture of that period.
Why Do People Search for 2017 Slang?
People search for 2017 slang for several reasons.
They may want to:
- Remember internet culture from the late 2010s
- Understand an old meme
- Find slang used during their teenage years
- Research the history of internet language
- Understand an older social media post
- Create nostalgic content
- Compare older slang with current Gen Z expressions
For nostalgia-focused searches, the cultural context is often just as important as the dictionary definition.
Was the Slang Actually Created in 2017?
Usually, no.
This is one of the most important points about “2017 slang.”
Many expressions associated with 2017 were already being used before that year. Some originated much earlier, while others came from particular communities and later entered mainstream internet culture.
Therefore, “2017 slang” generally means slang popular around 2017, not slang invented during 2017.
Popular 2017 Slang Words and Meanings
1. Lit
Lit meant exciting, excellent, energetic, or highly enjoyable.
Example
“That party was lit.”
Although the expression became especially prominent online during the 2010s, it had older roots in African American English and music culture.
2. Savage
Savage described someone who said or did something bold, ruthless, brutally honest, or impressively confident.
Example
“That comeback was savage.”
It became particularly common in memes and social media comments.
3. Woke
Woke described someone perceived as socially or politically aware, especially regarding issues of inequality and injustice.
Example
“She’s really woke about social issues.”
The term has much older roots, but social media greatly expanded its mainstream visibility during the 2010s.
4. Salty
Salty meant annoyed, bitter, upset, or resentful about something.
Example
“He’s still salty about losing the game.”
The word had older slang usage but became highly recognizable online.
5. Extra
Calling someone extra meant they were being overly dramatic, excessive, or attention-seeking.
Example
“You’re being extra today.”
6. Fam
Fam was an informal term for close friends or people considered like family.
Example
“What’s up, fam?”
7. Low-Key
Low-key meant somewhat, secretly, quietly, or without drawing attention.
Example
“I’m low-key obsessed with this song.”
8. High-Key
High-key was often used as the opposite of low-key.
It emphasized something openly or strongly.
Example
“I’m high-key excited for the weekend.”
9. Receipts
Receipts meant evidence supporting a claim, often screenshots, messages, photographs, or other proof.
Example
“You said you never texted him. I have the receipts.”
This became especially popular in online arguments and celebrity discussions.
10. Bae
Bae was an affectionate term for a romantic partner or someone particularly attractive.
Example
“Going out with bae tonight.”
The expression became widely popular before 2017 but remained common during the year.
More Slang Associated With 2017
| Slang | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Lit | Exciting or excellent |
| Savage | Bold or ruthlessly funny |
| Woke | Socially aware |
| Salty | Upset or bitter |
| Extra | Excessively dramatic |
| Fam | Close friend |
| Low-key | Quietly or somewhat |
| High-key | Openly or strongly |
| Receipts | Evidence or proof |
| Bae | Romantic partner |
| Squad | Group of friends |
| Goals | Something worth admiring |
| Shook | Extremely surprised or shocked |
| Thirsty | Desperate for attention |
| Flex | Show off |
| Mood | Something highly relatable |
| Slay | Perform exceptionally well |
| Yas | Enthusiastic version of yes |
| Tea | Gossip or information |
| Spill the tea | Share the gossip |
| FOMO | Fear of missing out |
| YOLO | You only live once |
| TBH | To be honest |
| IMO | In my opinion |
| IRL | In real life |
What Did “Shook” Mean in 2017?
Shook meant extremely surprised, shocked, or emotionally affected.
Example
“That plot twist left me shook.”
The expression became strongly associated with memes and social media.
What Did “Tea” Mean?
In internet slang, tea means gossip, information, or the interesting details surrounding a situation.
Example
“What’s the tea?”
This means:
“What’s the gossip or what’s really going on?”
“Spill the Tea”
This means to share the details or gossip.
“Come on, spill the tea.”
What Did “Slay” Mean?
Slay meant to do something exceptionally well or look extremely good.
Example
“She slayed that performance.”
The expression has roots in Black and LGBTQ+ communities and was later widely adopted by mainstream internet culture.
What Did “Flex” Mean?
Flex meant showing off something, especially wealth, possessions, appearance, skills, or achievements.
Example
“He’s just flexing his new car.”
What Did “Mood” Mean?
Online, mood was used to describe something extremely relatable.
Example
A picture of someone sleeping all day might receive the comment:
“Mood.”
It essentially means:
“I relate to this.”
What Did “Goals” Mean?
Goals described something that represented an ideal situation people admired or wanted for themselves.
Examples included:
- Relationship goals
- Friendship goals
- Travel goals
- Fitness goals
Example
“Their friendship is goals.”
2017 Slang on Social Media
Social media played a major role in spreading slang during this period.
Twitter helped slang spread through:
- Memes
- Viral jokes
- Celebrity conversations
- Trending topics
Instagram popularized expressions through:
- Captions
- Comments
- Memes
- Influencer culture
Snapchat
Snapchat contributed to casual, short-form communication and helped popularize informal expressions among younger users.
YouTube
YouTubers frequently introduced slang to large audiences through:
- Vlogs
- Commentary
- Challenges
- Gaming videos
- Comedy content
2017 Slang and Meme Culture
Memes were one of the biggest forces behind slang adoption.
A phrase could become popular because it appeared repeatedly in:
- Reaction images
- Viral tweets
- YouTube videos
- Instagram memes
- Snapchat stories
This made slang spread much faster than traditional word-of-mouth communication.
2017 Slang in Texting
Texting in 2017 commonly mixed traditional abbreviations with newer internet slang.
Examples included:
- LOL
- OMG
- TBH
- IDK
- IMO
- IRL
- FOMO
- YOLO
Example Conversation
Alex: You coming tonight?
Sam: IDK yet tbh.
Alex: Don’t miss it. It’s gonna be lit.
Sam: LOL okay, I’ll let you know IRL.
2017 Slang vs. Modern Slang
Internet language changes quickly.
Some expressions associated with 2017 remain recognizable today, while others feel dated.
For example:
Still Common
- Low-key
- Woke
- Salty
- Mood
- Slay
- Flex
More Nostalgic or Less Dominant
- YOLO
- Bae
- Lit
- Thirsty
- FOMO
This doesn’t mean these expressions disappeared. Rather, their frequency and cultural associations changed.
Common Misconceptions About 2017 Slang
All 2017 Slang Originated in 2017
False.
Many terms had been around for years or decades.
2017 Slang Was Only Used by Teenagers
False.
Adults, celebrities, musicians, influencers, brands, and journalists also used many of these expressions.
Internet Slang Has a Single Origin
Usually not.
Words can move between communities, change meaning, and become popular through different cultural channels.
When Should You Use 2017 Slang?
These expressions can work well when:
- Creating nostalgic content
- Discussing 2010s internet culture
- Writing a period-specific story
- Making throwback memes
- Talking about older social media trends
For current professional communication, however, plain language is usually safer.
When Should You Avoid It?
Avoid forcing old slang into modern conversations simply to sound trendy.
Some expressions may now sound:
- Dated
- Nostalgic
- Ironic
- Overused
- Context-specific
The goal should be natural communication rather than using slang for its own sake.
Is 2017 Slang Offensive?
Most slang associated with 2017 was not inherently offensive.
However, slang can have different histories and cultural meanings. Some expressions originated within specific communities before becoming mainstream.
Using a term respectfully and understanding its background is important.
Is 2017 Slang Appropriate for Kids?
Many common expressions from 2017 are relatively harmless, including:
- Lit
- Mood
- Fam
- Goals
- Low-key
- Slay
- Savage
However, some terms may carry adult, sexual, drug-related, or otherwise inappropriate meanings depending on context.
As always, the individual word matters more than the broad category of “2017 slang.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the most popular slang in 2017?
There was no single universally dominant slang word, but terms such as lit, savage, woke, salty, extra, fam, shook, slay, and low-key were highly recognizable during the period.
What did “lit” mean in 2017?
It generally meant exciting, excellent, or fun.
What did “shook” mean?
It meant extremely surprised, shocked, or emotionally affected.
What did “tea” mean?
Tea referred to gossip, information, or interesting details about a situation.
What did “salty” mean?
Salty meant annoyed, bitter, or upset.
What did “extra” mean?
Extra described someone behaving in an excessive, dramatic, or over-the-top way.
Was “bae” popular in 2017?
Yes. Bae was already widely popular before 2017 and remained recognizable during that period.
Is 2017 slang still used today?
Some terms remain common, while others are mainly used nostalgically, ironically, or in specific communities.
Did slang originate on social media?
Not always. Many slang expressions originated in spoken language and specific cultural communities before spreading through social media.
Final Summary
2017 slang represents an important period in the development of modern internet language. Words such as lit, savage, woke, salty, extra, fam, shook, slay, tea, mood, and low-key became highly recognizable during the late 2010s.
However, calling them “2017 slang” does not mean they were invented in 2017. Many had much older origins and were simply especially visible or popular during that period.
The rise of Twitter, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, memes, and online communities helped these expressions travel rapidly between different groups. Some remain part of everyday language today, while others now carry a distinctly nostalgic 2010s internet feel.
Understanding that history makes 2017 slang more than a list of old words—it provides a snapshot of how internet culture was changing the way people communicated.